FDA rejects idea for ban on cough/cold meds for kids

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials rejected the notion of a ban on cough and cold medications for children at a public hearing, the Associated Press (AP) reports.

The officials stated they needed more data on whether such over-the-counter medicine are safe and effective for children ages 2 to 6. The FDA also stated a concern that a ban would lead to parents giving adult cough and cold drugs to their children

However, pediatricians' groups have been urging the FDA to recall over-the-counter cough and cold medications for children younger than 6. Earlier this year, the FDA issued a statement against the use of over-the-counter cold medicine to pediatric patients younger than 2.